Party time

I left home a little later than originally planned but was still with Marion for 8.30.  Essex were playing at home but the stewards let me pass and we loaded the car with stuff, including milk for our morning tea, which we forgot last time.  Unfortunately we forgot the discount coupon for the garden we planned to visit and 5 minutes after we left, we were back for it.

The journey to Norfolk was uneventful and we chatted effortlessly.  We dropped our stuff off and enjoyed lunch with homemade pastries before heading back out to Pensthorpe. Marion telling me that the traffic was due to people 'moving' made us both laugh after she gave more context (tourist changeover day)

We took a guided tour around the park. The guide was enthusiastic but her voice was dull and her delivery had room for improvement.  We likened it to a Corncrake that we'd read a description of whilst waiting to board. There were a couple of bits of information that I found interesting and it gave me a real sense of how big the park was.  After the tour we headed into the garden. There was alot to see that I could spend way too long writing about it all but I particularly enjoyed the sculptures and mosaic.

Part way round I realised that my RHS card had gone missing from my phone case. I was angry with myself as this has happened before and earlier in the day I'd thought that I must put it somewhere safe.  I was relieved when we enquired and I found it had been handed in.   Lesson well and truly learned, I hope.

From the garden to the beach.  There was a major fire yesterday, with someone being arrested for arson and the fire crews were still in attendance although I smelled no smoke.

The beach was busy but we soon found a space and went in for a swim. It was cold.  On exiting the water we both stepped into holes, dug by people earlier in the day and subsequently covered by the tide. Marion fell.right over but, thankfully, wasn't too badly hurt.  The water was cold but the wind afterwards aggravated my Raynauds and two of my fingers took about an hour to recover.  I need a plan or my hopes of swimming into October will not be realised.

We drove into town next.and claimed the only two seats in a pub where we ordered pizza. Marion had beer AND hot chocolate with hers.  Our window facing stools looked out towards a shop with a very peculiar collection in its windows.

Then it was home and an early night.